Western appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1885-18??, 1887-03-19
Selika Social Club.

The life of a soldier is tedious one in
tune OF peace, and it taxes their ingen-
ulty to the utmost to while away the
hours that hang heavily on their hands
and asuredly, those who had the privilege
OF attending the inaugural soiree Of the
Sel1ka Social Club last Tuesday night,
have reason to feel grateful to the club
for arousing them from their lethargy
in SO delightful manner.
The club is composed of members of
| company Of the 25th U. S. Infantry,
stationed at Fort Smelling. The officers
of the club are: T. Kellum. president; j.
Howard, vice-president; j. Hill, rec
secretary; T. Oden, cor-secretary; J.
Harrison, treasurer; and they proved
themselves to be as good officers in the
social field as upon the parade ground.
The APPEAL had been honored with
an invitation and it's representative was
among the first to report at the Fort,
and with Sergt. Kellum as an escort
visited the points of interest within the
boundaries of that historical place.
He found everything characterized by
the good order and air of cleanliness
and neatness which follows the disciplin
of the army. The hall upon the grounds
under the management of the following
committee of arrangements: c. T. Dor
sey, N. Cothran, J. Branson, J. Jones
and W. Cook, was most tastefully and
beautifully decorated with bunting, ever
green's, chinese lanterns, etc. The grand
march began promptly at nine O'Clock,
and fifty couples performed most beauti-
full and intricate evolutions to the music
furnished by seven members of the
famous Smelling Band,'' and certainly
the stars in the immense national flags,
which were SO artisticaly draped upon
the walls, never looked down on fairer
scene.
The boys in blue' were in full
dress and their handsome suits and
soldierly bearing contrasted most pleas
inglY with the superbly elegant toilets
Of the handsome and graceful ladies up
on their arms. When the march ended
the sweet strains of Strauss waltz was
waited upon the air, and the merry
couples began to tread the light fantas-
tic, and the ball was opened.
The programme of sixteen dances was
gone through with, to the satisfaction of
all, and then they marched to the
spacious dining hall of the company
where long table extending the entire
length of the hall was abundantly laden
with an elegant repast comprising rare
specimens of culinary art and toothsome
CONNECTIONS of all kinds When the
guests We're seated Messenger George
I'll. Woodson arose and in a short but
elegantly worded address welcomed
them to the festive board. A general
charge was then begun upon the refresh
ments in which all took an active part
there were no skulkers nor deserters and
the sorties were made SO constantly and
with such good effect, that all were soon
able to say: ..We nave met the enemy
and we are theirs
After supper those who had come
from the Twin Cities in vehicles returned
to their homes, and those who had come
on the trains were provided for in the
quarters and were soon in the arms o.
Morpheus.
Taken as a whole, the occasion was
the most recherche one ever known al
the Fort. The commanding officers with
their ladies graced the dancing hall with
their presence for an hour or more. anc
seemed to enjoy themselves as well al
the more active participants. The affair
was admirably conducted in every par
ticular and will be long remembered BY
those who were present.